Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Rupert Clive and Edna Wallace, of Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.

Bruce enjoyed swimming, diving and shooting.

Official news has been received of the death of Flt-Sgt. Bruce Eskdale Wallace, of Deniliquin, who was first reported missing, and later believed to be a prisoner of war. Wallace lost his life while a prisoner  of war on Ambon in August, 1944.

Official advice has been received of the death of FLIGHT SERGEANT BRUCE ESKDALE WALLACE, who was previously reported missing, but is believed to be a prisoner of war. F/S Wallace was a son of  Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Wallace, of 49 Miller street Bendigo who were former Deniliquin residents. The official notification from the Department of Air to the parents, dated March 21, is as follows:

 "I deeply regret to inform you that your son, Flight Sergeant Bruce Eskdale Wallace, who was previously reported missing but believed to be a prisioner of war, lost his life whilst a prisoner of war at  Ambon about the month of August, 1944.  Information has been received that your son's body has been recovered from a mass grave at Tantoei, Ambon Island and has been identified by his discs.
Investigations disclose that your son's aircraft came down near Dai Island, in the Banda Sea and all reached the shore by dinghy. They then escaped to Loeng Island and lived there with the  assistance of friendly natives for about two months. They were betrayed to the Japanese by a native spy who has since been killed, and taken to Toeal in the Kai Islands. They were taken later to Saumlaki in the  Tanimbar Islands. "All five members of the crew appeared to have been alive and well on arrival at Saumlaki Four members of the cvrew were later transferred to Ambon. Four members who appeared  to be Squadron Leader Scott, Flight Sergeants King and Wright, captain of the Aircraft, your son, and were later stated by the notorious Japanese war criminal Ikeouchi to have been taken from Ambon to Malaya about the 28th August. This is disproved by the finding of four bodies in a mass grave at Tantoei. Three of the bodies were identified by their discs as your son and Flight Sergeants Wright  and King and the fourth body is presumed to be that of Squadron Leader Scott. It is not known by what means your son and his comrades lost their lives. It is considered they were probably the  victims of Ikeouchi, who has since been executed for other crimes. This, however, is not proved by any definite evidence. "There is no indication that your son and his comrades were  subjected  to any  ill treatment prior to the time at which lost their lives.   What evidence there is appears to indicate that they were in good health and spirits. ''Enquiries are proceeding in the hope of determining more  exactly the date on which your son lost his life, and as soon as any further information is received you will be advised.
"May I assure you of the deep sympathy of this Department in your loss." F/S Wallace was a brother of Mr. Peter Wallace, a member of the staff of the Rural Bank, Deniliquin. Their father was formerly  accountant for Mr. Deniliquin Swimming Club, of which he was treasurer. The parents and family have the sincere sympathy of Deniliquin friends in their bereavement.